We are dying in the northeast by having our territory served out of Chicago instead of having a sales person living here like the other territories. I remember when we hired Mike McEneany, he was suppose to move to the northeast to replace the guy who retired and then after getting the job, he refused to move. I need a person living amongst my customers and future customers. We are at a major disadvantage when B&N has their person living in the territory and ours isn't. Mikes boss needs to grow a pair and insist that the person invested in our territory needs to make a personal investment and move here. If Mike refused to move, then find him a job in Chicago and hire us a new person to partner with here in the Northeast. I'm tired us watching us lose new potential customers as well as establish customers because our person taking the lead doesn't know anyone since he leaves Chicago on Monday and travels to our region and then works Friday's out of his home in Chicago. Come on Mary Lee, help us out.
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mike lied to the company and said he would relocate and then after Mr. Flanagan retired and Mike was in the position, he put the company over a barrel and changed his mind. I moved 3 times in my career with Follett and kept my word each time. Mr. Usher should have replaced Mike but since nothing happens at the home office, this isn't a surprise.
The retired guy referred to was Joe Flanagan the long time VP for Marketing in the Eastern Region. I believe that he lived in New Jersey and covered an area from Maine to Virginia as well as West Virginia and Ohio. Can't speak to his operational skills but he was great at building relationships with the school administrators. He knew his contacts personally, knew their children's names and what sports teams they rooted for. If one of my stores had a problem, I'd call him and within minutes he would be on the phone with the school. If needed he would be on campus the next day. School contacts still ask about him. Obviously, living in his area was a key element to his success. When he retired, the company posted his bio with FHEG. Pretty impressive stats. Over 200 schools acquired with sales of nearly a billion dollars. Help is on the way? The addition of a new VP of marketing in Virginia (who does live within his area) doesn't help a school in Maine. The previous post asked a great question. "Why doesn't Mike live in his territory?" Maybe Mr. Usher has the answer.
Help is on its way